N.F.L. ROUNDUP; Starting Guards for Packers Decide It's Time to Move On

Published: March 4, 2005

The Green Bay Packers lost both of their starting guards yesterday when Mike Wahle signed with the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys signed the three-time Pro Bowler Marco Rivera.

''We certainly wanted to try to keep them in Green Bay, but the market was such that they felt they had to take advantage of it,'' Coach Mike Sherman said.

Wahle and Rivera were part of one of the top offensive lines in the National Football League. In 2004, the Packers set franchise records for yards rushing and yards passing.

Wahle said he signed a five-year deal and his agent indicated it was for about $25 million, but he would not reveal the amount of the signing bonus. Rivera, an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, including nine years with the Packers, signed a five-year, $20 million contract with Dallas that included a $9 million bonus.

Rams Add Claiborne

The St. Louis Rams added their second free-agent linebacker in two days yesterday, signing Chris Claiborne to a three-year, $10.5 million contract.

Claiborne, a middle linebacker who was with Detroit, will receive a $3.6 million signing bonus and join the outside linebacker Dexter Coakley in the Rams' restocked defense. Coakley received a five-year, $14.5 million deal with a $3 million signing bonus.

Jennings Will Play for 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers signed left tackle Jonas Jennings yesterday, acquiring the top free agent available at a problematic position for the club.

Jennings spent his first four N.F.L. seasons with the Buffalo Bills, starting 14 games last season. He should provide significant improvement for the 49ers (2-14), a team that allowed 52 sacks.

Williams in Accord With Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with the veteran defensive tackle Pat Williams late Wednesday night. Williams agreed to a three-year deal worth $13 million, with a $6 million signing bonus.

Williams spent the first eight years of his career in Buffalo, where he became one of the N.F.L.'s best run-stoppers.